Dieter Johann Eiselen (born June 10, 1996) is a South African professional American football guard. He played college football for the Yale Bulldogs at Yale University. Eiselen was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Chicago Bears after the 2020 NFL draft and became the first South-African non-kicker to be active in an NFL game his rookie year.[1]
| Personal information | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Born: | June 10, 1996 Pretoria, South Africa | ||||
| Height: | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | ||||
| Weight: | 315 lb (143 kg) | ||||
| Career information | |||||
| High school: | Paul Roos Gymnasium (Stellenbosch) Choate Rosemary Hall (Wallingford, Connecticut) | ||||
| College: | Yale (2016–2019) | ||||
| Position: | Center | ||||
| Undrafted: | 2020 | ||||
| Career history | |||||
| * Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |||||
| Career highlights and awards | |||||
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| Career NFL statistics as of 2023 | |||||
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Early life
editEiselen was born and grew up in South Africa where he played rugby and competed in Olympic weightlifting.[2] Eiselen came to the United States and played football at Choate Rosemary Hall in Wallingford, Connecticut and helped lead the Wild Boars to an undefeated season and a New England NEPSAC 'A' Championship.[2] Eiselen was also a letterman in track & field and made the Dean's list.[2]
College career
editEiselen graduated from Yale University in 2020 with degrees in economics and political science.[2] Eiselen started 34 games as a 4 year starter for the Yale Bulldogs.[2] In 2017, Eiselen was selected as a HERO Sports Sophomore All-American and an All-Ivy League honorable mention after helping lead the Yale Bulldogs to an outright Ivy League Championship.[2] In 2018, he was selected First-team All-Ivy League.[2] In 2019, he was selected to Phil Steele's Preseason All-American Team, First-team All-Ivy League, the ECAC All-New England Team, the HERO Sports All-American Team, the STATS FCS All-American Team, and the AP FCS All-American Team after helping Yale to a no. 23/22 national ranking and a second Ivy League championship.[3] Eiselen was selected to participate in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl in Pasadena, California at the Rose Bowl.[4] He was also inducted into National Football Foundation's Hampshire Honor Society.[5]
Professional career
editChicago Bears
editEiselen was signed by the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent on May 7, 2020.[6] He was elevated to the active roster on November 7, 2020 and became the first South African non-kicker to be active in an NFL game.[7] On January 11, 2021, Eiselen signed a reserve/futures contract with the Bears.[8] He signed a reserve/future contract with the Bears on January 11, 2022.[9] Eiselen was promoted to the active roster on October 26.[10] On February 22, 2023, Eiselen was tendered as an exclusive rights free agent.[11]
Houston Texans
editOn August 31, 2023, Eiselen was signed by the Houston Texans.[12] He was promoted to the active roster on November 11.[13]
On February 24, 2024, Eiselen signed a two-year contract extension.[14] On August 26, he was waived by the Texans.[15]
Denver Broncos
editOn October 8, 2024, Eiselen was signed to the Denver Broncos practice squad.[16] On October 19, the Broncos released him.[17]
San Francisco 49ers
editOn October 23, 2024, Eiselen was signed to the San Francisco 49ers practice squad.[18] He was released on November 7.[19]
Jacksonville Jaguars
editOn November 12, 2024, Eiselen was signed to the Jacksonville Jaguars practice squad.[20] He was released on November 26.[21]
References
edit- ^ Mayer, Larry (May 26, 2020). "Bears rookie followed unorthodox road to NFL". Chicago Bears. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Dieter Eiselen - 2019 - Football". Yale University.
- ^ "Eiselen Signs NFL Contract with the Chicago Bears". Yale University. April 25, 2020.
- ^ "Eiselen Selected to NFLPA Collegiate Bowl". Yale University. December 11, 2019.
- ^ "Yale Puts 11 Bulldogs in NFF's Hampshire Honor Society". Yale University. April 15, 2020.
- ^ "Transactions | The Official Website of the Chicago Bears". ChicagoBears.com.
- ^ Mayer, Larry (November 8, 2020). "Bears Roster Moves: Bears add five players to active roster". Chicago Bears. Chicago Bears. Retrieved November 8, 2020.
- ^ Mayer, Larry (January 11, 2021). "Roster Moves: Bears sign 10 to reserve/future deals". ChicagoBears.com. Retrieved February 16, 2021.
- ^ Mayer, Larry (January 11, 2022). "Roster Moves: Bears sign 11 to reserve/future contracts". ChicagoBears.com.
- ^ Mayer, Larry (October 26, 2022). "Roster Moves: Bears promote Eiselen, sign Fountain to practice squad". ChicagoBears.com.
- ^ Shapiro, Alex (February 22, 2023). "Bears re-sign OL Dieter Eiselen, per agency". NBCSports.com.
- ^ "Houston Texans Transactions (8-31-2023)". HoustonTexans.com. August 31, 2023.
- ^ "Houston Texans Transactions (11-11-2023)". HoustonTexans.com. November 11, 2023.
- ^ "Houston Texans Bolster Offensive Line with Dieter Eiselen Signing". nbcsports.com. February 24, 2024.
- ^ Thompson, Cole (August 26, 2024). "Texans roster cuts: Tracking the path to 53 players". Texans Wire. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
- ^ Heath, Jon (October 8, 2024). "Broncos sign veteran center to practice squad". Broncos Wire. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
- ^ DiLalla, Aric (October 19, 2024). "Broncos sign RB Blake Watson to practice squad". Denver Broncos. Retrieved October 19, 2024.
- ^ "49ers Place Aiyuk on IR, Promote Anderson to 53-Man Roster and More Moves". 49ers.com. October 23, 2024. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
- ^ Bonilla, David. "49ers bolster practice squad with linebacker signing". 49ers Webzone. Retrieved November 8, 2024.
- ^ "Roster Moves: Jaguars Make Four Moves to the Practice Squad During Week 11". Jaguars.com. November 12, 2024.
- ^ "Roster Moves: Jaguars Sign Tyler Shatley to Practice Squad". Jaguars.com. November 26, 2024.